Last year I made a list of all the things that happened in 2013. I like this way of reflecting. Get it all out there quick and simple. Looking at it all together, I'm given a big picture of my year and I can trust my memory will remember the details of each.
So here's a recap of my 2014 (in somewhat chronological order):
Snowpacolypse
Scariest tornado warning of my life
Mom and dad visiting Birmingham
Losing my cousin Michael
Visiting St. Louis
Reading my favorite book: Kisses from Katie
Losing friendships
Laura visiting Birmingham for 4th of July
Roadtrip to Atlanta with the gang
Europe--Germany, Austria, Italy
Making new friends
Bootcamp at Railroad
Jill visiting Birmingham
Going to Austin City Limits. Favorites: Lorde, Foster the People and Chvrches.
Seeing Laura once per month from July-December
Gushers
Sushi
Dinners at Piper's
Organizing closets
Shades Valley
Team Burrito
Ending my time at Luckie
Hard work
Rochester for the holidays
James and Jen's wedding in KC and seeing Abby after 2 years
Mom and I having bad colds on New Year's Eve
Monday, January 5, 2015
Monday, August 18, 2014
Packing Light
So lately I have had a little obsession. But I would really rather call it a passion. (hey, I'd been looking for that!) It's called "packing light". The idea of minimalism. No, not living in a 30 square foot home. But the idea of going through all of your things and getting rid of what you don't need.
It all started a couple months ago when my sister and I discovered we both love helping our friends go through their closets and helping them get rid of old clothes and shoes. I helped my friend Jill do this when I visited her in St. Louis and I found myself asking, "Do you have any more boxes we can go through!?!" It was so much fun and she loved the moral support I provided along the way. And by moral support I mean, "Jill. That looks like something you wore in the 3rd grade. NO."
So anyway, my sister and I fantasized about starting up a professional organizing business one day. Is that such a thing? Well, turns out it is. And there's a woman in Minnesota who helps people just like me start their own professional organizing business. What are the chances she's from Minnesota?! See for yourself: http://www.timetoorganize.com/
Since I have discovered my new passion, I have gone through my clothes, my bookshelf and these green storage drawers in my room. Each organizing session made me feel SO great afterward. Drawers that were once stuffed so full they could barely open were now half empty and I actually KNEW what was in them. I was on a roll. I still plan to do the cabinet under my sink and my mail basket (kind of dreading that one but it will feel so good afterward!)
For my trip to Europe, I checked out the book "Packing Light" from the library. It's about a girl who goes on a road trip to all 50 states with her friend and she writes a book about how they "packed light" literally and figuratively. It covered everything from how it was living out of her suitcase to how she dealt with emotional baggage and relationships and fear. It was a pretty great book and the last chapter where she summed up all her wisdom was really inspiring. I wrote some of my favorite passages in my phone. Here's one where she's reflecting on the fear she had before leaving for her 6 month road trip:
"You don't have to go. You can stay home. It's up to you. But if you let fear stop you from doing what you really want to do, you'll regret that forever."
The next book I have on hold at the library is called The Joy of Less. This book is a more practical book about how to go through each room of your house and ways to approach the "getting rid of things" process. I believe she also talks about materialism in general and why we have attachments to our things. (According to reviews on Amazon)
The idea of living on less has crept into my life in seemingly small but interesting ways.
1. Shampoo and conditioner. I didn't check a bag for my trip to Europe and so I used a pea sized amount of shampoo and conditioner on my hair for 2 weeks from tiny bottles and had half left over at the end of the trip. (I know it seems silly, but this is an instance where I EMBRACED having less when I could've easily complained about not having enough.)
2. Cutting my hair short. I did this back in April and I don't know if it was the feeling that it was short, or the feeling of change, but I loved the way it made me feel. I am setting up my next haircut appointment tomorrow and am going to go even shorter this time.
3. Throwing out really old things. I brought a purse to Europe that I bought probably 5 years ago. I carried around my water bottle and other things in it as we traveled each day. I started noticing little black pieces of dirt on the mouth of my water bottle and I wondered what it was. Finally I realized, the rim of my purse was literally deteriorating and getting all over my water bottle. I noticed other parts of the purse were stretched and pulled and worn and I wondered how I hadn't noticed this before. I decided I would throw out that purse on my last day in Italy. It felt great.
Tonight as I was getting into my PJ's, I picked up my ratty old tie dye t-shirt (if you could even still call it that) with massive holes all over it from 2001. It was a shirt that my sister's friend gave her in high school that my sister wore as a sleeping shirt for years and then passed down to me as a sleeping shirt. I looked at it and decided "You know what. I am not going to sleep in this anymore." It was a RAG. The holes were so big and I had cut off the sleeves a couple months ago. Why did I still have it?!?! I think sometimes, like my purse story, we do not realize how bad of shape our things are in until we really look at them. We are just so used to them. But tonight I decided, "I don't want to treat myself like a rag. I don't want to feel like a rag. I don't want to look in the mirror wearing a rag." So I sort of had this epiphany that packing light and getting rid of excess is not only about getting rid of the excess luxuries in life (or even non-luxuries that we simply don't use or need) but also the tattered old clothes, shirts, shoes, purses that flat out don't make us feel good about ourselves. How we feel about ourselves matters. And I'm not saying we should splurge on pedicures and $400 purses to make ourselves feel good. I am saying it is not a bad thing to get rid of old things that are "still usable" if they don't make us feel good. And we shouldn't feel guilty for doing so.
I am going to help a couple friends clean out their closets in the next couple of weeks. I am making it a priority because I really want to explore this new found passion. Wish us luck ;)
-Katie
It all started a couple months ago when my sister and I discovered we both love helping our friends go through their closets and helping them get rid of old clothes and shoes. I helped my friend Jill do this when I visited her in St. Louis and I found myself asking, "Do you have any more boxes we can go through!?!" It was so much fun and she loved the moral support I provided along the way. And by moral support I mean, "Jill. That looks like something you wore in the 3rd grade. NO."
So anyway, my sister and I fantasized about starting up a professional organizing business one day. Is that such a thing? Well, turns out it is. And there's a woman in Minnesota who helps people just like me start their own professional organizing business. What are the chances she's from Minnesota?! See for yourself: http://www.timetoorganize.com/
Since I have discovered my new passion, I have gone through my clothes, my bookshelf and these green storage drawers in my room. Each organizing session made me feel SO great afterward. Drawers that were once stuffed so full they could barely open were now half empty and I actually KNEW what was in them. I was on a roll. I still plan to do the cabinet under my sink and my mail basket (kind of dreading that one but it will feel so good afterward!)
For my trip to Europe, I checked out the book "Packing Light" from the library. It's about a girl who goes on a road trip to all 50 states with her friend and she writes a book about how they "packed light" literally and figuratively. It covered everything from how it was living out of her suitcase to how she dealt with emotional baggage and relationships and fear. It was a pretty great book and the last chapter where she summed up all her wisdom was really inspiring. I wrote some of my favorite passages in my phone. Here's one where she's reflecting on the fear she had before leaving for her 6 month road trip:
"You don't have to go. You can stay home. It's up to you. But if you let fear stop you from doing what you really want to do, you'll regret that forever."
The next book I have on hold at the library is called The Joy of Less. This book is a more practical book about how to go through each room of your house and ways to approach the "getting rid of things" process. I believe she also talks about materialism in general and why we have attachments to our things. (According to reviews on Amazon)
The idea of living on less has crept into my life in seemingly small but interesting ways.
1. Shampoo and conditioner. I didn't check a bag for my trip to Europe and so I used a pea sized amount of shampoo and conditioner on my hair for 2 weeks from tiny bottles and had half left over at the end of the trip. (I know it seems silly, but this is an instance where I EMBRACED having less when I could've easily complained about not having enough.)
2. Cutting my hair short. I did this back in April and I don't know if it was the feeling that it was short, or the feeling of change, but I loved the way it made me feel. I am setting up my next haircut appointment tomorrow and am going to go even shorter this time.
3. Throwing out really old things. I brought a purse to Europe that I bought probably 5 years ago. I carried around my water bottle and other things in it as we traveled each day. I started noticing little black pieces of dirt on the mouth of my water bottle and I wondered what it was. Finally I realized, the rim of my purse was literally deteriorating and getting all over my water bottle. I noticed other parts of the purse were stretched and pulled and worn and I wondered how I hadn't noticed this before. I decided I would throw out that purse on my last day in Italy. It felt great.
Tonight as I was getting into my PJ's, I picked up my ratty old tie dye t-shirt (if you could even still call it that) with massive holes all over it from 2001. It was a shirt that my sister's friend gave her in high school that my sister wore as a sleeping shirt for years and then passed down to me as a sleeping shirt. I looked at it and decided "You know what. I am not going to sleep in this anymore." It was a RAG. The holes were so big and I had cut off the sleeves a couple months ago. Why did I still have it?!?! I think sometimes, like my purse story, we do not realize how bad of shape our things are in until we really look at them. We are just so used to them. But tonight I decided, "I don't want to treat myself like a rag. I don't want to feel like a rag. I don't want to look in the mirror wearing a rag." So I sort of had this epiphany that packing light and getting rid of excess is not only about getting rid of the excess luxuries in life (or even non-luxuries that we simply don't use or need) but also the tattered old clothes, shirts, shoes, purses that flat out don't make us feel good about ourselves. How we feel about ourselves matters. And I'm not saying we should splurge on pedicures and $400 purses to make ourselves feel good. I am saying it is not a bad thing to get rid of old things that are "still usable" if they don't make us feel good. And we shouldn't feel guilty for doing so.
I am going to help a couple friends clean out their closets in the next couple of weeks. I am making it a priority because I really want to explore this new found passion. Wish us luck ;)
-Katie
Thursday, January 2, 2014
The Tiny Details.
This is a poem I wrote toward the end of 2013. I wrote it after noticing the pattern of a star in my shower head. I hope that 2014 is filled with many more of these moments. Moments where I am inspired by tiny and ordinary things. Where I take the time to notice the details in life. And then turn them into imaginative stories and poems. Enjoy.
As she looked up into the silver shower head, she saw the pattern of a star.
A star raining little droplets of newness.
She wondered if she could catch one and hold it forever.
Seeing in it everything beautiful about this life so clearly.
A tiny mirror. A crystal ball of sorts.
The lens through which she could see and capture every moment.
And not only see them, but appreciate them.
This glistening little droplet would be the most valuable treasure.
A treasure that would soften her heart.
A treasure that would be her source of joy.
She only dreamed about that kind of joy.
But she couldn't hold on forever.
As the bead of water rolled off her fingertip, it fell into the river below and disappeared into the darkness.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
2013
I don't like to reflect on my years usually, but 2013 seemed to have so many big moments that I wanted to do a simple list of words that summed up what it meant to me.
The Krummenachers
Benton park cafe
City church
Pho Grand
Love
Heartbreak
Hawaii
Portland
Chicago
Japanese Garden
Career struggle
Cash
Saying bye to Maddie
Alabama
Flights alone
Shawnis wedding
Letting go of old friends
Railroad park
Luckie
Independence
Anna and Amanda
Copywriting
Surin
Crunk fitness
Bootcamp
Nashville
Bruno Mars concert
Jill and Anna visiting
Ultimate summer staff reunion
Oak Mountain state park
Lorde
Ukulele
Interior decorating
Colorado dreaming
Mad Men Halloween
Zorbing
Austin
White Christmas
Hot chocolate
Loving people well
I really don't like resolutions either. I don't need added pressure to do things that I usually am already trying to do like "be more loving". Having a long list of things I want to do stresses me out because I don't like to think of my life as a list that needs to be checked off. That makes everything feel like chores and makes me feel like there is a deadline to that list (you MUST do ALL these things in 2014). Great for other people. Not for me. So anyway, I just thought up a few manageable things I'd like to do in 2014. No pressure :)
1. Write letters to friends
2. See lorde in concert
3. See foster the people in concert (they just announced they're back!)
4. Read at least 5 books. (Sadly that's a stretch. Almost finishing 3 this year. That's embarrassing. But hey I read the whole Harry Potter series the year before…)
Happy New Year.
-Katie
The Krummenachers
Benton park cafe
City church
Pho Grand
Love
Heartbreak
Hawaii
Portland
Chicago
Japanese Garden
Career struggle
Cash
Saying bye to Maddie
Alabama
Flights alone
Shawnis wedding
Letting go of old friends
Railroad park
Luckie
Independence
Anna and Amanda
Copywriting
Surin
Crunk fitness
Bootcamp
Nashville
Bruno Mars concert
Jill and Anna visiting
Ultimate summer staff reunion
Oak Mountain state park
Lorde
Ukulele
Interior decorating
Colorado dreaming
Mad Men Halloween
Zorbing
Austin
White Christmas
Hot chocolate
Loving people well
I really don't like resolutions either. I don't need added pressure to do things that I usually am already trying to do like "be more loving". Having a long list of things I want to do stresses me out because I don't like to think of my life as a list that needs to be checked off. That makes everything feel like chores and makes me feel like there is a deadline to that list (you MUST do ALL these things in 2014). Great for other people. Not for me. So anyway, I just thought up a few manageable things I'd like to do in 2014. No pressure :)
1. Write letters to friends
2. See lorde in concert
3. See foster the people in concert (they just announced they're back!)
4. Read at least 5 books. (Sadly that's a stretch. Almost finishing 3 this year. That's embarrassing. But hey I read the whole Harry Potter series the year before…)
Happy New Year.
-Katie
Monday, November 4, 2013
Rhythmless
No rhythm to this poem, but I still like to call it one.
How deep do you go?
Do you dive into the depths and dare to swim with the sharks?
Do you float on the surface with the other lonely hearts?
Where do you search for the answers to life?
Is it atop the mountains tall?
Beneath the greatest waterfall?
Do you see the stream that's strung throughout?
Whether the highest high or the lowest doubt.
It's intertwined, the web we sew.
It's the journey we take, it's the journey we grow.
How deep do you go?
Do you dive into the depths and dare to swim with the sharks?
Do you float on the surface with the other lonely hearts?
Where do you search for the answers to life?
Is it atop the mountains tall?
Beneath the greatest waterfall?
Do you see the stream that's strung throughout?
Whether the highest high or the lowest doubt.
It's intertwined, the web we sew.
It's the journey we take, it's the journey we grow.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
God-Orchestrated Friendships
Lately I've been thinking about how crazy it is that God has provided me with friends who go through the exact same things as me. Some of these things are expected because of course people your age are going to be going through the same things, but these few instances were unique where I found myself really thanking God that someone was REALLY going through the EXACT same thing and I just knew that God provided this specific friend for me in each specific moment.
I met my friend, Bre, freshman year of college in the dorms. We had the same major (Strategic Communication) and hit it off right away. The Lord has completely used Bre as my career-support friend. Not only did we go through the Journalism school together, sharing classes and even group projects along the way, but we both struggled through job hunting for the exact same amount of time. I'm talking EXACT same amount of time. Bre got her job offer on a Friday and I got mine the following Monday. It was just SO crazy to me that my one college friend who I most closely related to career- wise had the exact same path as I did. When I wanted to complain about job hunting--she was there. When I was going out on interviews and getting rejected--she could relate. When I celebrated my job offer--she celebrated hers! And now we both have jobs and we get to chat on Gchat during the day which provides mental support throughout the day! So thankful for her friendship!
Another unique time I have felt God completely orchestrated a friendship was with one of my newest friends, Anna. We met each other in the weirdest way and felt like best friends instantly! Before I moved to Birmingham, I had my friend, Hunter, send out an email at his college asking if anyone needed a roommate (for me to live with.) Well, I never found a roommate and moved into a great one bedroom apartment complex called Terrace. I got a text from a random number a week after living here from someone asking if I still needed a roommate. It was Anna. After texting a couple more times, I convinced her that SHE should get a one bedroom at Terrace--and she did! I met her the night she moved in and we hit it off right away. We have so much in common. She has traveled A LOT, done mission trips, is 22 and single, and is super independent and adventurous. Right before I met Anna, I had been feeling like I didn't have any friends in Birmingham and found myself bored on the weekends, but after her and I became friends, we have done so much together! She is always up for exploring the city or going to Railroad Park. We even found a church and small group that we attend together. I think people at church think we are attached at the hip and although we sort of are, it's weird to think I've only known her for 3 and a half months. Anna is just one of the main people/things about Birmingham that I can CLEARLY see God provided for me. Some days I'm still really confused I ended up here and what my purpose is in Birmingham, but it is easy to stay and figure it out when God keeps providing for me along the journey.
Thanks for reading! :)
-Katie
Abby and I enjoying delicious milkshakes from Winsten's (Kansas City)
Back in February, my good friend and loyal blog reader, Abby, started dating a guy. He wasn't really into the whole faith thing and so even though she really really liked him, she broke things off. At the same time, I was dating someone who was a lot older than me and I could really relate to her. We both experienced our families not wanting us to be in these relationships and other people not understanding why we were in them. But we really REALLY liked these guys. I mean these were our first relationships! I am just so thankful that God provided me with a friend who was not only supportive, but truly understood my feelings at that time and could tell me stories of her own that helped me know I was not alone. Love you Abby!!!
Bre and I at Senior Sendoff! (Mizzou)
I met my friend, Bre, freshman year of college in the dorms. We had the same major (Strategic Communication) and hit it off right away. The Lord has completely used Bre as my career-support friend. Not only did we go through the Journalism school together, sharing classes and even group projects along the way, but we both struggled through job hunting for the exact same amount of time. I'm talking EXACT same amount of time. Bre got her job offer on a Friday and I got mine the following Monday. It was just SO crazy to me that my one college friend who I most closely related to career- wise had the exact same path as I did. When I wanted to complain about job hunting--she was there. When I was going out on interviews and getting rejected--she could relate. When I celebrated my job offer--she celebrated hers! And now we both have jobs and we get to chat on Gchat during the day which provides mental support throughout the day! So thankful for her friendship!
Anna and I exploring Sloss Furnace (Birmingham)
Another unique time I have felt God completely orchestrated a friendship was with one of my newest friends, Anna. We met each other in the weirdest way and felt like best friends instantly! Before I moved to Birmingham, I had my friend, Hunter, send out an email at his college asking if anyone needed a roommate (for me to live with.) Well, I never found a roommate and moved into a great one bedroom apartment complex called Terrace. I got a text from a random number a week after living here from someone asking if I still needed a roommate. It was Anna. After texting a couple more times, I convinced her that SHE should get a one bedroom at Terrace--and she did! I met her the night she moved in and we hit it off right away. We have so much in common. She has traveled A LOT, done mission trips, is 22 and single, and is super independent and adventurous. Right before I met Anna, I had been feeling like I didn't have any friends in Birmingham and found myself bored on the weekends, but after her and I became friends, we have done so much together! She is always up for exploring the city or going to Railroad Park. We even found a church and small group that we attend together. I think people at church think we are attached at the hip and although we sort of are, it's weird to think I've only known her for 3 and a half months. Anna is just one of the main people/things about Birmingham that I can CLEARLY see God provided for me. Some days I'm still really confused I ended up here and what my purpose is in Birmingham, but it is easy to stay and figure it out when God keeps providing for me along the journey.
Thanks for reading! :)
-Katie
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
"Following Instinct"
I watched a TED Talk from TEDxTeen (talks directed toward teens) like a month ago and I wrote my notes about it on a piece of paper that has been in my purse getting wrinkly and water on it so now it is blotchy with ink and practically unreadable. I figure I should transfer the great insight from the video into a more permanent medium. Like my blog!:) Basically this woman went to Thailand when she was like a senior in high school and at the end of the two week trip with her classmates, she decided at the airport gate that she wanted to stay in Thailand and she didn't know what she would do or how she would make money, but it's what she wanted to do in that moment and she ended up staying for like a year or two and did some big researching and reporting work there. Prior to going to Thailand, she had made a pro and con list of which college she should go to and which major she should study--laying out a predictable life as any senior in high school would do. Then she ended up randomly going to Thailand and staying there for an amazing adventure. Her spontaneity was very inspiring! It is a great reminder that we shouldn't always be thinking about life and "next big steps" within the box of what's expected of us to do, but if we want an adventure, to go out and have one! Here is the link to the video if you care to watch! (It's 17 min long.)
"Following Instinct" by Amaryllis Fox
-Things don't occur to you while you do them but they DO occur to your subconscious. Your brain pulls things like 'comfort with unfamiliar places' from other experiences in life and convicts you to do things that you wouldn't be able to process and decide yourself. Your subconscious brain is smarter than your conscious brain. It kicks in when your conscious brain is overwhelmed.
-The most authentic life isn't going to be found at the end of a 'pro's and con's' list.
"Following Instinct" by Amaryllis Fox
-Things don't occur to you while you do them but they DO occur to your subconscious. Your brain pulls things like 'comfort with unfamiliar places' from other experiences in life and convicts you to do things that you wouldn't be able to process and decide yourself. Your subconscious brain is smarter than your conscious brain. It kicks in when your conscious brain is overwhelmed.
-The most authentic life isn't going to be found at the end of a 'pro's and con's' list.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
5 reasons you should journal.
My awesome friend Abby made a list of 26 things she learned at age 26. I decided to make a list of something i'm passionate about...journaling! I believe everyone should journal. Just look at Facebook and Twitter! People have so many emotions and thoughts that they are craving to express. Some people express too much on those sites and that is why I want to yell at them "YOU NEED A JOURNAL!" :) just kidding. Anyway, I'm planning on volunteering at this non-profit in Birmingham this Fall called Desert Island Supply Co. which runs writing workshops for kids. I am just passionate about the fact that everyone should journal and I would love to teach a workshop about journaling to kids. Or poetry. That would be cool too. Or copywriting. Anyway, here's the list:
1. You make discoveries as you write. As you lay your thoughts and problems out on a page in front of you, it becomes easier to see the solutions.
2. Your mind is clearer afterward. You release all those built up thoughts, emotions and feelings in your head that have been bogging you down or flying around like 20 golden snitches that you just can't capture. (Harry Potter, anyone?)
3. It is something for yourself. We do our best writing when it is for ourselves and not for others--when we aren't worrying about how it will be received or being too vulnerable or who it may offend. When we write only for ourselves, it reminds us that our feelings should be only for ourselves, never bending to fit anyone else's expectations. (Especially important for those who have a "people pleaser" personality.)
4. It is peaceful. Nobody can journal and hear their thoughts while multitasking. In a world that's constantly moving, it is a treasure when we can actually take the time to slow down and process our thoughts, feelings and emotions--when we can write them all out and see if we find any meaning in them.
5. You don't have to be a good writer. Whether you think you suck at writing or not, everyone can benefit from writing out their feelings. Even if you list one word emotions you are feeling that day or make pro/con lists, that is still therapeutic. And no matter your approach to journaling you will always be surprised by how much you learned about yourself. Answers just reveal themselves as soon as information is organized. It is awesome.
Some of my favorite things to journal about are a list of things i'm grateful for, ways I see God working in my life and ways I see God working in the lives of people I know. The hardest things about journaling besides finding the time to slow down and actually do it is facing your own thoughts. Sometimes you are struggling with something and you just don't want to face it yet. You know that once you write it on the page, it becomes real and you can't deny it anymore (or push that thought to the back of your mind). Once you do the hard work of being completely honest in your writing though, that is when you reap the rewards: the wisdom you never knew you had...the solutions to your latest problems...the release of emotions making your mind clearer for tomorrow. It is all worth it in the end.
1. You make discoveries as you write. As you lay your thoughts and problems out on a page in front of you, it becomes easier to see the solutions.
2. Your mind is clearer afterward. You release all those built up thoughts, emotions and feelings in your head that have been bogging you down or flying around like 20 golden snitches that you just can't capture. (Harry Potter, anyone?)
3. It is something for yourself. We do our best writing when it is for ourselves and not for others--when we aren't worrying about how it will be received or being too vulnerable or who it may offend. When we write only for ourselves, it reminds us that our feelings should be only for ourselves, never bending to fit anyone else's expectations. (Especially important for those who have a "people pleaser" personality.)
4. It is peaceful. Nobody can journal and hear their thoughts while multitasking. In a world that's constantly moving, it is a treasure when we can actually take the time to slow down and process our thoughts, feelings and emotions--when we can write them all out and see if we find any meaning in them.
5. You don't have to be a good writer. Whether you think you suck at writing or not, everyone can benefit from writing out their feelings. Even if you list one word emotions you are feeling that day or make pro/con lists, that is still therapeutic. And no matter your approach to journaling you will always be surprised by how much you learned about yourself. Answers just reveal themselves as soon as information is organized. It is awesome.
Some of my favorite things to journal about are a list of things i'm grateful for, ways I see God working in my life and ways I see God working in the lives of people I know. The hardest things about journaling besides finding the time to slow down and actually do it is facing your own thoughts. Sometimes you are struggling with something and you just don't want to face it yet. You know that once you write it on the page, it becomes real and you can't deny it anymore (or push that thought to the back of your mind). Once you do the hard work of being completely honest in your writing though, that is when you reap the rewards: the wisdom you never knew you had...the solutions to your latest problems...the release of emotions making your mind clearer for tomorrow. It is all worth it in the end.
Monday, July 29, 2013
My DIY Disaster.
So I saw a cool idea for a homemade chalkboard on a blog and
thought it looked easy. A simple transformation of an old, ugly picture and
frame! Well, I should’ve remembered the tedious Dresser Makeover that my
parents and I did before I moved down to Birmingham (#spraypaintproblems).
Anyway, I did not remember this and decided I wanted to make a big chalkboard
for my huge white wall.
So my friend Anna and I went out thrifting this past
Saturday. First stop was Good Will where I found just what I was looking for! A
huge square picture with a decent frame and ugly picture! Perfect for only 15
bucks.
Next, we needed to go to Lowe’s to get magnetic AND
chalkboard paint. I was told there was a paint that could do both of these
things in one. But when I got to Lowe’s, they told me they are separate paints.
The magnetic one was $20! (uhh no thank you!) and the chalkboard spray paint
was $6. (do-able).
So we googled in the store if it really works to paint the
magnetic paint THEN a coat of chalkboard paint, and the results were mixed. We
came across a lady online who said she had just painted a piece of sheet metal
with chalkboard paint to achieve both. So we checked out the sheet metal. There
was one that was the PERFECT size for my frame (Yes, I lugged my frame into the
store from the car just to check) and it was only $11!
Disaster #1: At the checkout, turns out the sheet metal was
in the wrong spot in the store and it was actually $26!!! I bought it in the
heat of the moment, but as I was walking to the car, I started getting angry I
was going to spend $45 on a DIY project when I have turned down BUYING things
for that price that could fill my wall. So with Anna’s patience and
encouragement, I went back inside and returned the sheet metal. Making the
board magnetic was NOT worth $26. I can just tape pictures to it if I want.
Disaster #2: So I get home, all excited and ready to start
my big project. Shake my spray paint can and IT NEVER RATTLES. Called my mom to
complain and she tells me it must be broken and I need to return it.
“NOOOOOOOO!” I was all hot and sweaty and the Lowe’s was a 15 minute drive and
I had been running around all dayyyy! I did not want to go back to the store.
But it kept hanging over my head and I was set on doing my project that night
so I went.
After I got home with my new paint, I spray painted indoors
over a tarp.
Disaster #3: Apparently that paint goes everywhere and although I thought I was stepping on clean parts of the tarp….THE BOTTOMS OF MY FEET WERE BLACK AND STICKING
TO MY CARPET! Thank God I didn’t have black footprints on my carpet or I would’ve cried. (I
should note I made it through this project without any tears. Came close once
though.)
So after I was done with like 4 coats of spray paint, I
spent 2 HOURS using nail polish remover and cotton balls getting paint off the
bottom of my feet. And it STILL didn’t even all come off.
Disaster #4: As I was cleaning my feet, I knocked over the
bottle of nail polish remover onto my LAPTOP! I picked it up immediately to
drip the liquid off of it into the sink and then wiped it down with a Kleenex.
It seemed fine, thank God, but I have NEVER spilled anything on my laptop
before. Must’ve been the stress boiling beneath the surface from this
frustrating hellish night.
The spray paint looked all streaky, but at this point, I did
not care. I hated this project. I did another spray paint coat in the morning
then spent the afternoon painting the frame. It turned out great and the
streaks sort of went away when it dried. All I have left to do is set the paint
with chalk and hope to God it works!!
All in all, I learned that I am not made to do crafts. It is
not my personality to enjoy making things. Writing? Yes. Making music and
singing with my uke? Yes. Anything with paint and/or patience? Nope. This is
also why I hate cooking. I hate making something that takes time and energy to
MAYBE turn out cool/delicious when I could just go buy something I already
love. I am not good at following directions and I am not good at having the
patience to make sure all the details are right.
So through this project, I made a vow: I will not do another
craft for 5 years. I also vowed to never use spray paint again in my life.
(This is the common demon in the dresser and the chalkboard.)
I am jealous of those who are crafty, but I will never be
crafty. I was not designed to be crafty. I was designed to pay my crafty
friends for their wonderful work!
Xoxo Katie
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Maddie.
My Favorite Memories with Maddie:
- Getting the letter in the mail at Girl Scout camp that my parents had gotten Fargo (her name before we renamed her) and asked me if I liked the name Madison (Maddie for short). I remember I wasn't crazy about the name Madison but once I read "Maddie" I loved it!
-The picture of me meeting Maddie when I came home from Girl Scout camp (4th grade). My parents brought her with to pick me up. I'm wearing a Girl Scout t-shirt in the picture. I looked for the picture, but couldn't find it.
-Taking Maddie to doggy training lessons at Graham Arena with my mom. There was an elderly lady next to us training her teacup poodle named Muffin:)
-Playing tug-of-war with her with a tiny shirt with knots in the sleeves. I would run around the backyard dangling the shirt and Maddie would bite the knot and hold on for dear life. I could even lift her off the ground!
-Giving her baths in the laundry sink downstairs. She got soo skinny when she got wet and her ears got ginormous. We have video of mom and I giving her a bath when I was 13 years old. (We watched the video of it the night before Maddie died.)
-Skyping with my parents when I was away at college and they would bring Maddie into the computer room so I could say hi to her.
-Getting to come home to her everytime I came home from college--she was the best part! (no offense mom and dad ;))
-Giving her "tummy rubbies" and scratching behind her ears so that her back legs would twitch like crazy.
-Recently (in the last year) taking her to the cabin we rented up north and trying to get her to swim in the lake. It was so funny and cute to watch her try. She hates water and she hated us for that.
-Having her at every birthday and Christmas since I was 10.
-Watching her chase squirrels and pounce around like a bunny on walks. Even though she was 13, she had the energy of a puppy her whole life.
-Watching her lay in the sun spots on the sun porch panting because she was so hot, but she liked it! She was my little hot dog :):):)
-Laughing/squealing at her haircuts. Some of them were SO funny. Especially the one in the last year where they cut off her beard so she didn't even look like a Schnauzer (or a dog at all) anymore. She's been compared to:
-Doby the Elf (from harry potter)
-A deer
-A bunny
-A fox
-A cat
....and more that I can't think of right now.
-Having her come to Mizzou for my graduation and getting to have her stay in my college house and meet some of my college roommates. We got to take family pictures holding her in front of the columns. It was just really cool that she got to run around Mizzou's campus and be a part of that weekend because she is FAMILY!:)
-Getting to take cute pictures of her and share them on social media.
-I loved how protective she was. She was a great watch dog on the sun porch. She knew the difference between danger and her family coming home and I kind of liked how she would growl a little when strangers tried to pet her, but knew I was her family.
-How she would go into my parents' bedroom in the middle of the night when it was thunderstorming because she was scared. My mom would say she'd hear little footprints on their wood floor in the middle of the night. SO CUTE!
-One time we came home and she was sitting on top of a pile of pillows on the floor. Like they were her little throne. She's not allowed to sit on pillows! haha
-Sometimes when I would sleep in, my parents would bring Maddie upstairs to try and wake me up. Either by placing her on top of me while i'm trying to sleep or I'd hear my mom go "Maddie!" trying to get her to come in the direction of my bed. She was so cute and confused when she was in a part of the house she wasn't normally allowed to go.
-She was a great dog and so well trained that it was fun to be able to take her on walks without a leash and see her explore and run ahead or stay behind knowing she wouldn't go in the street or run away. Such a smart dog:)
-Flipping her ears inside out.
-Getting to call her mine.
Favorite Quotes:
-A person who has never owned a dog has missed a wonderful part of life. -Bob Barker
-I have sometimes thought of the final cause of dogs having such short lives and I am quite satisfied it is in compassion to the human race; for if we suffer so much in losing a dog after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years, what would it be if they were to double that time?
-Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, filling an emptiness we don't even know we have.
-What we have enjoyed, we can never lose...all that we love deeply becomes a part of us. -Helen Keller
-The dog of your boyhood teaches you a great deal about friendship, and love, and death. Old Skip was my brother. They had buried him under our elm tree, they said--yet this wasn't totally true. For he really lay buried in my heart. -My Dog Skip
I remember seeing My Dog Skip when I was younger and bawling when Skip died at the end. He died while the boy was away at college. I always worried Maddie would die while I was away at college, but she never did. She waited for me to be back home living with her to pass away. I'm so grateful she lived 13 1/2 years and got to be a part of my life from ages 10-23. She had a long, healthy and happy life and she didn't leave without a goodbye. I couldn't have asked for a better dog.
xoxo Katie
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